David K. Miller
1941 ~ 2023
Captain David K. Miller, age 82, passed away on Aug. 28, 2023 from complications related to Alzheimer’s. David was born in East Peoria, Illinois to Herman Charles and Clara Marie Miller (Gustmann). The only son, he was the youngest of three siblings. David’s father worked at the huge Caterpillar assembly plant in Peoria.
David attended East Peoria High School. During these years music became a big part of his life. In high school he performed with the school choir, the school musical theater, and played trumpet in the school band. David also played baseball and stayed active with Boy Scouts.
Immediately after high school, Dave enlisted into the Air Fore and was trained as an aircraft mechanic. Most of his four-year enlistment was spent at Altus AFB, OK where he served as a mechanic on B-52s and KC-135s. He separated from active duty as an Airman First Class.
David married Judith Ann (Seppelt) on September 1, 1962 (living) while still on Air Force active duty. The couple would give birth to and parent two children, Amy Marie (Maldonado) born November 29, 1967 (living) and Matthew James Miller born February 16, 1970 (living).
Gary C. Thompson
1936 ~ 2023
Captain Gary C. Thompson, age 86, passed away in Eden Prairie, Minnesota on July 17, 2023. Gary was born on December 7, 1936 at the hospital in Breckenridge, MN to Clarence ‘Butch’ and Esther Thompson. The family resided across the Minnesota/South Dakota state line in remote Rosholt, SD where his father worked as a butcher and his mother a schoolteacher. Gary was the oldest of three siblings.
Family lore reports that Gary didn’t set the world on fire as a student but was a noteworthy athlete. He played football, basketball, and baseball. He was also reputed to be a good singer and appeared in school plays. 
Gary entered Concordia College in the fall of 1954 on a football scholarship where he played football until suffering a severe concussion. A year later he dropped out of college and pursued entry into the military.
Dino Oliva
1933 ~ 2023 
Captain Dino Oliva, age 90, passed away October 31, 2023. Dino died peacefully in his sleep, at home, after 5 years with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dino was born in Lockport, New York on March 10, 1933, to parents Agostino and Elvira Oliva. His parents emigrated from Fano, Italy in the 1920's. The youngest of 3 boys, he was the first generation to speak English and head off to school in the states. After graduating from Lockport High School in 1950, he set off to college at Clarkson College of Technology, in Potsdam, New York. He took engineering courses and was active in his fraternity, Kappa Kappa Tau. In 1954 he earned a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After college, Dino signed up with the Marine Corps and enrolled in officers candidate school in Quantico, VA. Dino was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in February, 1955 and was sent to officers training for 8 months. 
Dino trained in Pensacola in 1957, and then set off for Corpus Christi, Texas. With attack bomber training, he earned his wings as a naval aviator; at the time completing six landings on an aircraft carrier. Dino had been trained in an SNJ, T28, and an AD-4. Next he was off to Miami where he trained in a two engine SNB and a R4Q. Off to Cherry point NC next, he checked out as Captain on the R4Q.
While in the Marines, Dino flew troops and cargo during the Lebanon crisis. Completing his missions, he was released from active duty in February of 1958. Dino was recognized as serving over 2000 multi-engine hours, in March of 1959. For the love of flight, Dino continued flying out of Minneapolis with the Marine Reserves squadron for 22 years, until 1970. He retired as a U.S. Marine Corp Lieutenant Colonel in 1977.
Robert ‘Doug’ Wood
1938 ~ 2023 
Robert “Doug” Wood, age 85, was born June 20, 1938, in Butte, Montana, the first of five brothers, to Mary and Bob Wood. Bob, a copper miner, determined to keep his boys out of the mines, moved the family to Post Falls, Idaho, in 1950 where Doug grew up. At Post Falls High School, he demonstrated his natural leadership skill as president of his senior class, student council president, and co-captain of the championship football team that captured the first Panhandle B Conference title for the Trojans in the school’s history.
Though awarded two football scholarships and playing for a short time at EWC, Doug returned to Post Falls and graduated from North Idaho Junior College in 1962. He secured his commission as 2nd lieutenant and entered Air Force flight training, achieving recognition for Highest Mid-Phase Flight Formation Instrument Flying. In 1963 he pinned on his wings and reported to Perrin AFB where he completed advanced intercept training and flew with the 116th Fighter Intercept Squadron for the Washington Air National Guard. Doug accepted an offer to fly commercially for NW Airlines in 1965.
Merle Eglet
1935 ~ 2023
Captain Merle Eglet, age 88, ended his sojourn on earth from the terminal disease of living, with no regrets and owing no one. His life started in McLean County North Dakota June 7, 1935, with parents Charles and Nette Eglet. Skip, as he was nicked named early by his maternal grandfather is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Kirkland, WA, three younger brothers, Tony and Dick of Zillah, WA, Steve of Spokane and older sister Paula Thomas of Naches, WA, his son Robert and wife Tracy of Las Vegas, Nevada, his daughter Brooke and husband Gregg in Nashville, TN. Grandchildren Keegan Eglet, Blake Eglet, and Jordan Eglet in Las Vegas, NV, granddaughter Parker and grandson Thatcher Boling in Nashville, TN, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, mostly residents of eastern Washington.
Skip moved to Zillah, WA with family to escape the ravages of the great depression. He attended school in Zillah, attaining a modicum of success academically, being named valedictorian at all levels. After a rather mediocre struggle with academia, he joined the Naval Aviation Cadet program. This led to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and a designation as a Naval aviator. His tour of active duty was at El Toro MCAS, CA, with deployments to Yuma, AZ, Fallon, NV and CVA-34 Oriskany. While on active-duty Skip flew the F8U, F9F, T1A, and DC-3. Upon separating from active duty, he joined the Fleet Marine Forces Reserve and continued for 13 years, flying the F9F-6 and 8, the A4D-1 and 2, T-33, T1A, SNB, AD5 and R4Q (C-119) and F6A (F4D-1).
Larry W. Hacker
1940 ~ 2023
Captain Larry Hacker, age 82, flew west on 15 September 2023. Larry was born in Sioux City, Iowa on October 20, 1940, to Edgar W. Schietzelt and Mary Frances Underschied. At the time of his birth, Larry was named Lawrence Wilhelm Schietzelt. Larry’s father, Edgar, was killed in action March 28, 1945, in Germany. Mary Frances later married Charles W. Hacker and Lawrence Wilhelm Schietzelt became Larry William Hacker.
Larry had five siblings: Gary, Maurine, Mary Dee, Margie and Charles. His adoptive father was a railroad employee and at one time Larry thought he might follow this career path.
Larry had a solid Catholic education; St Joseph Grade School, Bishop Heelan Catholic High School and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. During high school Larry’s athletic endeavors included track and basketball. You could also find him on stage preforming with the rest of the Theater Group. His favorite role, Lt. Joseph Cable USMC, in the musical South Pacific.
School and learning were easy for Larry. He could hear or read something and retain the information. He never had to study for a test in school.
He worked as a hospital orderly during high school and for a collection agency, repossessing cars, during college.
Richard 'Dick' Haglund
1933 ~ 2023
Captain Richard Haglund, age 90, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2023. The last six months of his life ‘Dick’ suffered from a backbone failure.
Dick was born on February 21, 1933, in Opstead, Minnesota to parents Oscar and Annie Haglund. He was number three of four boys in birth order. During his childhood, the Haglund family lived on a dairy farm in Mille Lacs County and as a youngster Dick carried out farm chores. He attended Isle High School located adjacent to the southeast corner of Mille Lacs Lake. Dick was a good student and a good athlete, playing football and basketball in high school. He was endowed with a good singing voice which enhanced his ability to yodel. Dick enjoyed running as fast as possible and told his friends that some day he would fly.
After high school Dick enlisted in the Air Force but was medically discharged for a skin disorder on his feet. Thereafter he studied for two years at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Concurrently with his enrollment at Macalester, Dick took flying lessons at Flying Cloud Airport. To finance the flying lessons, he worked as a night watchman. Dick persisted with this rigorous lifestyle and in good time acquired his FAA Commercial/Instrument Pilot ratings as well as a CFI Instructor rating. The CFI enabled him to earn income as an instructor while building his flight time. Dick persisted in contacting the employment office at Northwest Airlines regarding pilot hiring. This persistence paid off and Dick was hired by Northwest Airlines on April 04, 1959.
John M Campbell
1941 ~ 2023
Captain John M Campbell, just shy of 82, died Wednesday August 2, 2023, at his home in Mendota Heights surrounded by his wife and family. John was born on September 28, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia as the only child to Lilian Wyche and John Patrick Campbell.
John graduated from John McDonough High School in New Orleans in 1960. During his high school years John was a member of the Civil Air Patrol where he met lifelong friends. The CAP influenced and inspired John’s life-long love of flying. After high school he enrolled at Loyal University in New Orleans to major in physics.
In 1963 John enlisted in the U.S. Navy to enter the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) program. Toward the end of his flight training John opted for advanced rotor wing (helicopter) training. After earning his Wings of Gold, he was stationed at NAS Quonset Point in Rhode Island. There he flew SH-3A helicopters, often patrolling for Russian submarines off the East Coast of the United States during the Vietnam War. John opted to leave the active Navy in the spring of 1968 and was hired by Northwest Airlines on May 06, 1968.
Gregory J. Berry
1952 ~ 2023
Captain Gregory James Berry, passed away on August 19, 2023, at his home with his wife Nina and daughters Angela and Natalie by his side after a hard-fought 5-month battle with glioblastoma. He was 70 years old.
Born August 26, 1952, at the Winslow Clinic on Bainbridge Island to John and Carmen Berry, Greg grew up in Eagle Harbor with his two brothers and other long-time island family friends. He graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1970 as class salutatorian and earned varsity letters in football and basketball.
Greg earned a degree from Seattle University in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. He spent summers fishing in Alaska to help finance college and flying lessons at Boeing Field. He obtained a Private Pilot’s License at age 19. After graduation from college, he pursued his passion for aviation with the U.S. Navy.
David Lundin
1931 ~ 2023
Captain C. David Lundin, age 91, of Dresser, WI, passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023, surrounded by family at the Christian Community Homes in Osceola, WI.
Dave was born December 24, 1931, to parents, Carl and Inet Lundin, in Minneapolis, MN. He attended Roosevelt High School, graduating in 1949. He Entered Gustavus Adolphus College to pursue a Pre Law course of studies for 2 Years. He transferred to the University of Minnesota and entered the Law School “2-4” program and accepted an NROTC Scholarship. He graduated June 11, 1955, and was commissioned (Ensign USN, 15 June 1955). He earned his wings in Pensacola, FL, transferring to Corpus Christi, TX and then to Bermuda. In 1959, he left active duty and joined the Ready Reserves, moving back to Minnesota, where he would serve 20+ years as a pilot, and earn top ranking as Captain, USNR. In the reserves, Dave, serving as Squadron CO, and his crew, received the Noel Davis Trophy in 1974 for being the most efficient aviation division of the USNR.
On November 21, 1966, Dave began his commercial pilot career with Northwest Airlines. His initial crew assignment was as a Second Officer on the Boeing 727. {Dave flew the standard NWA MSP base succession of aircraft, retiring on Dec. 12, 1991 as a Classic 747 captain.}
Raymond J. Cornforth
1925 ~ 2023
Captain Raymond ‘Jack’ Cornforth, age 98, took his last flight and left our world very peacefully on Sunday June 25th, surrounded with loving family and friends. Jack came from a very small town in Oklahoma and his love of flying was initially sparked by a couple of $1 airplane rides at the local fair with a kind man and his crop duster airplane. In the Spring of 1943, at the ripe old age 17, he entered basic training with the Army Air Corps. Jack was initially trained as an aircraft mechanic, but later completed pilot training as an Aviation Cadet. In April of 1945, Jack was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded Air Corp Pilot’s wings. He served the rest of the war as a P-40 Warhawk Fighter Pilot
After WWII, and release from Army duty, Jack found employment packing parachutes and working as an aircraft mechanic. He and a coworker heard there were aircraft mechanics jobs in St Paul, Minnesota so off they went. Jack was hired by Northwest Orient Airlines on February 9, 1948. He worked for Northwest Airlines for 44 years serving as a Mechanic, Crew Chief, Flight Engineer, Copilot and Captain. At age 60 Jack confronted FAA mandatory retirement. However, he was eligible to continue working an additional seven years as a flight engineer (2nd officer) on the classic Boeing 747. During those seven years Jack also served Northwest Airlines and the Department of Defense through NWA’s commitment to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) by providing contract transportation for military troops and supplies from the United States to bases in Germany, Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Allan F. Soverign
1936 ~ 2023
Captain Allan F. Sovereign, age 86, died on February 09, 2023, in Prescott, Arizona.
Little is known of Al’s background. We know he was born in Oklahoma and eventually joined the US Air Force. We also know that Al was qualified as an Air Force Navigator prior to attending pilot training. Al and NWA pilot Gary Pisel were assigned to the same pilot training class at Vance AFB. After graduation Al from Vance AFB, was assigned to Mather AFB, CA, a navigator training base flying the T-29 (Convair 240). Al felt this assignment would be great for accumulating flight time.
More than likely Al probably never anticipated that his twin reciprocating engine qualification would earmark him for a Vietnam assignment flying the C-123. Al shared about a mission into a remote Vietnamese mountain outpost/airstrip. Their arrival was delayed by bad weather for three days, however when they finally landed their much-needed cargo offload of ammo and supplies may have been responsible for saving a company size Army unit.
After completing his C-123 Vietnam tour, Al was assigned to MATS at McGuire AFB, NJ flying the C-135. During his Air Force years Al married his first wife Diane who died prior to his exit from active duty.
Al was hired by NWA on November 04, 1968. His first line assignment was as a Boeing 727 Second Officer based at MSP. He followed the standard Boeing 727, DC-10, and Boeing 747 career track. In addition, Al continued his association with NWA flight training (NATCO). At the time of his retirement, he was flying the classic 747. During most of Al’s NWA career years he resided in Northfield, MN.
The Sovereigns moved to Prescott where Al and Ina built their dream house. The house included a motor home garage and all the extras, including a beer tap by his chair in the den. Since their house was the first on a new street, they got to name the street Sovereign Drive.
Ina Louise Sovereign, age 88, passed away on December 01, 2022.
Al Sovereign touched many lives through his roles as a military and airline aviator. He was respected as an instructor/teacher and friend, leaving his handprint on the careers of many.
(~ Bill Day)
John C. Boyer
1937 ~ 2022
Captain John Clinton Boyer, age 84, of Naples, Florida, died on February 5, 2022. John was the son of John and Reba Boyer, and loving husband of Betty Jane Savard-Boyer.
John said that all he ever wanted to do was fly. As a child growing up in Philadelphia, he was interested in aviation, especially jets, building and crashing many model airplanes. He participated in the US Air Force ROTC program at Penn State University and then served in the USAF from 1959-1967. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. During his service, he was a flight instructor on the T-33, and was also qualified on the F-86, F-102, especially the RF-101 "Voodoo", and was stationed in Europe for four years.
On Dec. 04, 1967, John began a 30-year career with Northwest Airlines. His first aircraft qualification was as a Second Officer on the Boeing 727 at MSP. Most of John’s career was spent based at MSP. His initial captain qualification was on the 727. He followed the typical upgrade patterns at that time; first flying the 727, then the DC-10 and finishing his career on the Classic 747 at Honoluu. John loved flying the 747 and spoke of that experience reverently throughout his retirement.
Curious throughout his life, John enjoyed learning new things; some of which included motorcycles, photography and darkroom, owning horses, flute, banjo, stamp collecting, sailing, zoo volunteer work, juggling, reading, history; (especially the Civil War and World War II), and furniture refinishing.
After his retirement, he continued to fly recreationally and learned computer skills such as simulated flying programs and Excel, the latter of which he used as the secretary of his high school reunion committee.
John was a life-long fan of Penn State football. He was also a fine conversationalist, always ready to lend an ear and a kind word, to share a good laugh, or an interesting observation. As a friend, husband, father, and grandfather, he is already missed by his large family and many friends.
John was survived was survived by his wife Betty Jane (BJ), who died on May 26, of this year, his sons Scott and Paul, stepchildren Chris Rossett, Cindy Payne, Cherie Margarite Stutz and Mark Savard and many grandchildren. He is predeceased by his stepchildren William, Gary, Robert, Henry, and Betty Jane.
Those of us who flew with John fondly remember him as being a most fine fellow and an expert aviator.
(~ Bill Day)
William Borger Plehal
1937 ~ 2023
Captain William Borger Plehal, 85, of Land O' Lakes, Florida passed away from aggressive, onset Cancer, on Friday, April 14th, 2023, surrounded by family. William was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1937 to parents William and Annie Sophia Plehal.
As a teenager, Bill attended Minnesota’s Hopkins High School where he was the hockey goalie and loved the Minnesota North Stars. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SD. At age 19 he attended a Church social for College Students in Rapid City, SD, and it was there he met his future wife, Chyree Fillingham. Bill volunteered for USAF pilot training as an Aviation Cadet.
Jacob J. Braig
1937 ~ 2023
Captain Jacob J Braig, age 85, passed away in his hometown hospital at Whitefish, MT of natural causes and at peace. Jake, the son of Mary and Tony Braig, grew up on a 155-acre farm where he lived the good life in the 50’s with younger brother Robert, his Voermans relatives, and lots of friends.
Jake was a good high school student; he was neat to the point of being meticulous and accurate in details. He was also a high school track star who worked seasonally as a fireman for Great Northern Railroad and as a clerk at Van Aken’s clothing store. After high school Jake spent one year at Bozeman before transferring to the University of Montana where he excelled. While at the University of Montana Jake was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. A history and political science major he sharpened his vast intellect and honed his skill set to later become a 747 captain and two-star General.
After college graduation Jake was called to Air Force active duty and reported to Harlingen AFB, TX, deep in the Rio Grande Valley, for Undergraduate Navigator Training. Navigator training consisted of many training flights crisscrossing Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. After graduation Jake was assigned to Radar Observer training at James Connally AFB, Waco, TX. This training was a precursor to returning to the Montana Air Guard fighter interceptor unit at Great Falls, MT serving in the backseat of a F-89.
Claud L. (Les) Johnson
1925 ~ 2023
Captain Claud Leslie (Les) Johnson, age 98, was born in Taylor’s Falls in 1925 and grew up in Shafer, Minnesota where he was the youngest of five children. He walked through a wooded lot to the Shafer elementary school and later attended Chi-Hi where he played basketball and 6-man football. To make ends meet during the Depression, Les’s family raised guinea pigs in their basement and would sell the ‘pigs’ to the University of Minnesota.
Les fell in love with Lillian Bloom when he heard her sing with the Junior Mission Band of Center City Lutheran Church. Les saw stars when Lillian sat next to him in the back seat of the bus going to High School basketball games. Les’s mom rode in the front of the same bus, as a chaperone.
During World War II, Les enlisted in the Navy and he loved it. He appreciated the structure and three-square meals a day. This was where Les learned to fly airplanes, following in the footsteps of his older brother Darrel. Sadly, Darrell was killed while serving on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
Robert Aaron Wolf
1937 ~ 2023
Robert Aaron (Bob) Wolf, 85, of Fort Myers, FL and Apple Valley, passed away April 21st in hospice near his home in Fort Myers, with his family and friends by his side.
Born in Paterson, NJ on May 28, 1937, he was the son of the late Harold Wolf and Lilian Weiss Wolf. Mr. Wolf was preceded in death by wives, Suzanne Wolf Dionne and Adrianne Kelfer Wolf; and brothers, Jack (Myra) and Martin. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Wolf (Ken) Hawkinson of Lakeville, MN; grandchildren; Nicholas Hawkinson and Sarah Hawkinson; sister, Andrea Wolf (Jay) Kalish; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bob Wolf is a graduate of Fairlawn High School (NJ). He then enlisted in the US Air Force and attended Aviation Cadet Pilot Training. Upon successful completion, Bob was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded silver wings in June 1959. While on active duty he was stationed in Goose Bay AB, Labrador, Canada; Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Mather AFB, Sacramento, CA; and Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK.
Melden B. Suggett, Jr.
1933 ~ 2023
Captain Melden ‘Mel’ Suggett, Jr., age 89, died February 12, 2023, after a long struggle with dementia. ‘Mel’ was born and raised in a rural setting near Woodland, California. His father, Mel Sr., was a rice grower working fields that would today be visible from the airport traffic area at Sacramento Airport.
Mel was a good student and an excellent athlete. His athletic skills at Woodland High School won Mel accolades at All State high school competitions and a scholarship to Olympic College in Bremerton, WA where he studied Forestry. Like many other future aviators, upon acquiring two years of college credits Mel applied for USAF Aviation Cadet pilot training. After preflight at Lackland AFB, TX Mel did well in Primary and Basic Flight Training. Completing the Aviation Cadet flight training, Mel was commissioned and rated as a USAF pilot. From Texas he traveled north to Tinker AFB, OK for C-124 Globemaster transition training. With transition behind him, Mel reported for operational assignment to the 62nd Troop Carrier Wing at McChord AFB. This began a long-time association with aviation centered in the Seattle/Tacoma area.
James Edward Swanson
1940 ~ 2022
Captain James Edward Swanson, age 81 of Eagan and Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, after a valiant battle with acute pulmonary problems...
Jim was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on March 19 1940, to the late Edward and Vera (Fearing) Swanson. The oldest of five children, Jim grew up in nearby Florence and Wabeno, Wisconsin where his father worked as a baker. As a young lad Jim worked alongside his father in the bakery. He attended Wabeno High School where he was known as a well-rounded student having participated in almost every sport and school activity including basketball, football, band, choir, glee club, and student council.
It was natural for Jim to go on to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison. As these were the years of mandatory ROTC, he opted for Air Force ROTC. During his senior year Jim received FAA approved training in light aircraft as a prescreening for USAF Pilot Training. The same week he received his BA degree in political science, he was also commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve.